Onion growing in kenya pdf

Aug 28, 2003 the growing, handling, storage and marketing of onions is an important part of these economic activities. The best areas suited for farming being karatina, oloitoktok, naivasha, kieni, emali and mai mahiu. Onions are a cool season crop and typically have long growth periods. Onions are planted in rows of 10x10 or 10x15cm apart in 1cm deep holes in the soils. A detailed guide to bulb onion farming in kenya value farming. Kenyan farmers have been doing their best to address the demand and close the gap, but there is still more supply to be achieved. Normally, seeds are used in nurseries and the young seedlings are then transplanted to the farm. Nov, 2016 i must say, we zambians use onions in everything. As an agricultural farmer in zambia, you need to tap into this need. After the cleaning, salt is sprinkled on the bulbs to stop formation of moisture on bruised surfaces of the onions. Pdf admin november 28, 2015 comprehensive onion farming guide.

Bulb onion production, first published by shep in 2009, revised by shep plus in 2019 ver. The cost for planting the one hectare is around 100,000 ks. Things to consider before starting onion farming kenya livestock. But due to the coronavirus pandemic and the border restrictions kenya has with tanzania, there is a low supply of onions in the.

You can grow onions can from seeds, transplants seedlings or sets small bulbs onions. The onions take five months from planting to harvest, depending currently most kenyan farmers average 3 tons of per month from small scale onion farming. Onions are generally longday plants, which means, they need days with more than 12 hours of daylight. I would love to plant the onion in open field and green houses. Onion can be cultivated up to 1,900 m above sea level rainfall. How to grow onions all you need to know about growing onions. This means that one would make at least 850,000 ks from the harvest. According to food and agriculture organizations report, half of red onions sold in kenyan markets are grown in tanzania. How to grow and harvest onions from start to finish full instructional video. Proper fertilization before planting and during the season with complete fertilizers containing all the needed major and minor elements. Bulb onion farming greenlife crop protection africa.

The limited consumption of red bulb onions in kenya is because more of spring onions which are cheaper are consumed especially in the. For bulb production it can go higher beyond these ranges. If you prefer to harvest some earlier as green onions, space them 2 apart and pull every other onion during the growing season, leaving the rest to grow to maturity. Commercial trials of the variety started in 2017, in onion growing regions elgon and south western uganda. Although favourable conditions for production exist in kenya, yields are still very low averaging 14. These are some of the places that are suitable for large scale farming of onions. And the best part is that the onion market in kenya is far from saturated. Comprehensive version, short fundingbank loan version and automated financial statements for an indepth analysis of the onion farming business, we encourage you to purchase our wellresearched and comprehensive bulb onion farming business plan. In fact, a past food and agricultural organisation report found that 50 per cent of the onions consumed in kenya are. Short rains are great for bulb onions since they can be harvested between january and february. It consumed as raw or a component of meals in many different cultures around the world. Tag archives for onion farming in kenya pdf he enjoys bumper harvest on onions and kales all year round, thanks to his own water pan admin july 24, 2017 he enjoys bumper harvest on onions and kales all year round, thanks to his own water pan 20201119t09. The 3 lb bag is enough to feed a 120foot row of onions, and its added to the soil just before planting and when your onion plants grow to be 1 foot tall.

Oct 19, 2020 on the other hand, restaurants and other professional food chains in kenya, onion types are sorted out with a lot of precautions. Spring onions are shallow rooted therefore care should be taken to avoid root damage. From there the onion bulbs are cleaned using organic soap to wash away the disinfectant and any dirt. Average market prices for a kilo of onions are at around 50 ks. Feb 20, 2017 onions are hardy to 20f, but in cold climate regions, protect your plants with a thicker layer of mulch at least 2 inches deep. Introduction grow a variety of vegetables for your family and neighbours using the bucket drip irrigation kit during the dry season. The amount of fertilizers needed varies by location, soil fertility soil analysis, type of onion grown and local recommendation. Drop in onion imports from tanzania spells fortune for farmers.

It is used in cooked meals or raw salads as a flavour additive, and also used in making pickles and chutneys. Just like any other fertilizer you want to look for one that is high in nitrogen. Spring onions farming in kenya greenlife crop protection africa. There are two main onions grown in kenya, bulb onions and spring onions. However, it requires a lot of labour during transplanting and weeding it is an important spice for foods when cooked or served raw. Some areas and soils are better for growing onions than others.

Keep in mind though, onion sets perform the best in long day growing regions. This definitely tells you that onion is a basic need in mosts families that can afford it. Onions will grow in almost any soil from sandy loams to heavy clay. Onions prefer full sun and welldrained, fertile soil with a ph between 5. You only need three buckets of water a day at m ost. Pest and disease controlling methods of onion farming. Onions have a good market, mature early and are profitable. The b ucket d rip on ts f a b and wo d tapes of 15m in length with holes emitters at 30 cm spacing. The spring green bunching takes 70days to mature while the white lisbon takes 60 days. Onion varieties grown in kenya had the capacities of producing over 30 tha. This is because kenyan onion farmers are not able to meet the local market demand. Major types of onions farmed in kenya are bulb onions and spring onions. Seeds give you an option of choosing the exact variety that you want but they also take the longest to mature.

However, they are still grown in other areas although some techniques have to be used to provide favorable environmental conditions. If your soil is heavy then you can introduce some organic compost or manure into the soil to help its moisture retaining properties. The best suited areas to grow onions include, nyeri, nakuru, narok, maimahiu, kieni and nyandarua. The best areas suited for farming being karatina, oloitoktok, naivasha. In kenya almost every meal is cooked with kitunguu, some even go a notch high and make kachumbari. Tips for onion farming in kenya 1 plant during short rains season. So, if youre thinking about growing onions on a large scale, then this article could help you make that decision. This onion variety will give you more money daily monitor. Despite the big deficit, kenya exports about 60 tons a year of salad onions into the eu market as vegetable mixes in prepacks. The latter has proven to be the most profitable variety of onions in kenya because they produce well and the size of the bulbs is bigger. When undertaking smallscale onion farming in kenya, one requires a capital cost of anything between ksh 100,000 to ksh 250,000. Onion farming in kenya simple analysis urban kenyans.

How to improve onion production in kenya part 1 youtube. Growing temperature 15 30 0c soils fertile and well drained soil ph range 6. Bulb onions, also known as kitunguu maji in kenya, is one of the most used vegetables in the world. Changing farmers mindset from grow and sell to grow to. Get over ksh 700,000 from an acre of hybrid onions in kenya. Onion are also grown in large quantity in developed countries and these products dominate. The ideal temperature for mother bulb production is 180c240c day and 10120c night temperature. Popular varieties are jambar f1 for size and high yield or red passion f1, bombay red and red pinoy they have a lower yield but are in high demand at the market. Onion farming in kenya 2021 onion growing kenya info hub. Start onion farming the complete guide farming method. The best fertilizer for onions getting the best produce.

Also, unlike many other vegetable species, consumption of onion is not limited to a particular season. Spring onions also called scallions or green and bunching onions are very easy to grow both for subsistent and commercial purposes and consumers like them because they can be used in variety of recipes as seasoning in soups and salads hence their other name salad onions. Thereafter, the biostimulant is mixed with water and the onions immersed in the solution for 12 hours. If you want the onions to grow to maturity, space them 4 apart. Mar 30, 2021 longday onions grow the best in northern states, while shortday onions grow the best in southern states. Nevertheless, if one is embarking on largescale onion farming in kenya, you will need more capital.

According to the food and agriculture organizations fao 2014 report 50 percent of the red onions in kenya are imported from tanzania, making the red bulb onion one of the most attractive commercial farming practices that a farmer can do. The introductory guide to onion farming in kenya smart business. Onion growing areas in kenya include emali, karatina, kieni, oloitktok and naivasha. Onions require welldistributed rainfall of between 500 and 700 mm during the growing period. Success in bulb onion farming is dependent on proper market identification, proper planning for labour especially during transplanting and weeding, and good postharvest handling. Well before i take you through the kenyan areas where onion farming does well, it would be of much interest first to understand the ideal conditions to grow onions. How to grow onion complete guide from site selection, seedling management, t. During the growing season, watering is done regularly to keep the soil moist and free from weeds throughout the growing season.

The most common varieties of onions that do well in several parts of kenya include red pinnoy, red creole, red bombay, and jambar 1. This genus also contains several other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the japanese bunching onion a. Therefore, only varieties with lower daylength needs can be grown in kenya. Apart from those in rural areas who at times grow their own onions, all other homes in urban areas buy onions when they need to cook. Starting an onion farming business plan pdf startupbiz global.

Onion farming in kenya is gaining popularity every day this is as result of its high returns and small operating capital. Cultivar description onions onion weed management onion insect pests onion disease garlic weed management garlic insect pests figure 1 figure 2 figure 3 figure 4 figure 5 figure 6 figure 7 figure 8 figure 9 figure 10 value chain lens key marketing information systems cash in. Most of the onion varieties are adapted to low and mid altitude areas 7001800 m. Japan international cooperation agency jica kenya office. Visit us today for farming news, agribusiness tips, practic.

In many growing regions, it is a major source of income for rural families who sell their produce in local, regional and international markets. Onions are planted using transplants, seeds or sets. Pdf growth, yield and quality of onion allium cepa l. Tanzania that will drive the projected growth in consumption at 108%. Kenya farmers have been trying to address this but with little success. How to plant, grow and harvest onions from start to finish. When planting several rows of onions, leave 16 between the outside edge of one bed, and the outside edge of the next. Spring onions also called scallions or green and bunching onions are very easy to grow both for subsistent and commercial purposes. Onions are cultivated by vegetable farmers, and vegetable farmers are known to grow a wide variety of vegetables onion, peppers, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, mushrooms and all other vegetables and melons in open fields and in greenhouses. X research source yellow onions are golden in color and have a slightly sweet flavor, white onions are sharp and a bit tangier than their yellow counterparts, and red onions are violet in color and are often eaten fresh rather than cooked.